What Is Thyroid Cancer?
9. Effects on the Rest of the Body
During treatment, if any part of the thyroid is removed, doctors may wait to see if the other half can sustain the proper production of T3 and T4. However, when the entire gland is removed, the doctor is likely to recommend hormone replacement therapy. Without this, the patient will have all of the adverse effects of an underactive thyroid.
Interestingly, a patient may have permanent vocal changes after thyroid removal. This is attributed to the damage done to the nerves that run to the voice box during surgery. A person whose thyroid has been removed may always sound weak and hoarse.
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